In pictures: Syria crisis deepens amid world stalemate

29 August 2013
Last updated at 15:06

Images give an overview of the Syria crisis as international wrangling continues over military action in response to alleged chemical weapons use.

The US and UK governments are intensifying their push for military intervention in Syria. The White House says it is certain Syria has used chemical weapons but President Barack Obama says he has not yet decided on a strike.

The UK government has published legal advice saying strikes against Syria would be justified even if UN permanent members Russia and China blocked it. The British parliament is now due to vote on whether to back the principle of military intervention.

Public opinion in the US and the UK is divided over military action in Syria, with some protests taking place in London against it.

UN chemical weapons inspectors are expected to complete their investigations in Syria on Friday and report back on Saturday.

Meanwhile thousands of Syrian refugees have continued to pour over the borders of Lebanon and other neighbouring countries.

Syria's state media quoted President Bashar al-Assad saying that Syria "will defend itself against any aggression".

People in Israel have been queuing to collect gas mask kits. There are fears that if the US and its allies attack Syria, Damascus could retaliate against Israel.

Israel ordered a partial call-up of army reservists on Wednesday and strengthened its missile defences.

Correspondents say people in the Syrian capital Damascus are going about their daily lives but there is a lot of concern about what might happen if the US, UK and France launched an attack.

The two-year conflict has left many parts of the country in ruins.

The UK government has deployed six RAF Typhoon jets to Cyprus as a "prudent and precautionary measure" to protect the UK airbase at Akrotiri. The Foreign Office says they are not being sent to take part in any military action against Syria.

Syrians both inside and outside the country have been following the developments anxiously.